"Deserves systematic investigation": Congress' Manish Tewari on alleged cross-voting in Vice Presidential election

New Delhi [India], September 10 (ANI): Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday responded to the alleged probability of cross-voting by the INDIA bloc MPs in the recently concluded Vice Presidential election, stating that it deserves a systematic investigation by each constituent of the opposition alliance.
"If there was cross-voting, then it should be seriously investigated by each of the constituents of the INDIA Alliance. Cross-voting is an extremely serious matter. If at all, what you are saying is correct or what is appearing in the public space or is being speculated has an iota of truth in it, it deserves a systematic and clinical investigation," Tewari told ANI.
Speaking on PM Narendra Modi's announcement of a Rs 1,600 crore relief package after his visit to Punjab amid devastation caused by heavy rains, the Congress leader said that the quantum of support needed is much more than the said amount, given the destruction of lives and livelihoods.
The scale of destruction in Punjab is more than what happened in the 1988 flood. Therefore, the quantum of support required is much more than the Rs 1,600 crore and the Rs 12,000 crore, which are available with Punjab under the calamity relief fund, because lives and livelihoods have been destroyed. Livestock has been swept away. The scale of devastation is enormous. So, there is a need to really assess the scale of devastation and try and help those people who are in real need, whether is J&K, Himachal Pradesh or Punjab."
His remarks come after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today took a "conscience" swipe at the opposition over the probability of cross-voting by the INDIA bloc MPs in the recently concluded Vice Presidential election, where NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan emerged victorious.
Rijiju said that NDA and "all our friendly MPs" remain united.
"Special thanks to some MPs of- INDI Alliance who voted with 'Conscience' for NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan in the VP election. NDA and All our friendly MPs remain united. Congratulations to everyone on electing a humble & efficient man and a true patriot as India's new Vice President," Rijiju posted on X.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary BL Santhosh claimed that the INDIA bloc candidate received 15 fewer votes than their total number.
"Voting happened through ballot papers & INDI Alliance got 15 votes less than their number. The INDI alliance leaders had campaigned for conscience vote. They got it in return," Santhosh posted on X.
Earlier on Tuesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the opposition's performance in the Vice Presidential election was "respectable," noting that its joint candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy (retd) secured 40 per cent of the vote.
National Democratic Alliance candidate CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President on Tuesday.
Ramesh contrasted the result with the 2022 Vice Presidential polls, when the Opposition's share was 26 per cent.
"The Opposition stood united for the Vice Presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable. Its joint candidate Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy secured 40% of the vote. In 2022, the Opposition had received 26% of the vote in the Vice Presidential elections," Ramesh said in a post on X.
"The BJP's arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished," he added.
Radhakrishnan defeated INDIA bloc nominee Justice B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes in the Vice Presidential election.
CP Radhakrishnan received 452 first preference votes whereas Justice Reddy received 300 first preference votes. Fifteen votes were considered invalid.
"NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan got 452 first preference votes. He has been elected as the Vice President of India...Justice Sudershan Reddy secured 300 first preference votes," Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody said at a press conference.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had abstained from voting in the Vice Presidential election, while Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) decided not to participate. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had announced that it will "boycott" the poll, given that people in Punjab are "upset and angry" over no help from the Centre and the state government.
The Vice President's post has been vacant since July 21, 2025, as Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position, citing health reasons. (ANI)